South Korea has released rare footage of a test launch of the Hyunmoo-V ballistic missile. The video shows several stages of the launch, from the cold launch to engine ignition and stabilizer deployment.
The footage was released during events marking the 78th anniversary of the South Korean Armed Forces. For the Hyunmoo-V, this is a particularly rare demonstration, as very little test footage of the missile has previously been made public.
The Hyunmoo-V is described as one of the world’s most powerful conventional missiles. It can carry a warhead weighing up to 8 tons, while its maximum range is estimated at 3,000–3,500 km.
The missile was developed primarily to destroy hardened targets in North Korea, including missile silos and underground bunkers. Its large warhead is intended to provide the destructive power required to strike deeply protected targets.
South Korea first officially displayed the Hyunmoo-V system in 2024 during the 76th anniversary of its Armed Forces. The missile began entering service only in 2025, following a development process that reportedly lasted more than three decades.
The new footage shows the missile’s cold launch, separation of the protective launch platform, engine ignition and deployment of its stabilizers. The video therefore provides a much more detailed view of the Hyunmoo-V’s launch sequence than had previously been available.
The missile was also mentioned in Russian media in early 2024. At the time, Russian media circulated speculation that Ukraine could potentially be interested in South Korean short- and medium-range missiles. However, at that point the Hyunmoo-V had not yet entered service with the South Korean Armed Forces, so there was no possibility of potential deliveries.
